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Simpson goes 'Surreal' for new video

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NEW YORK -- Ashlee Simpson spent Thursday shooting the video for "Out of My Head (Ay Ya Ya)," the first single from her third studio album. The as-yet-untitled set is due in March via Geffen.

Asked to describe the video, Simpson tells Billboard.com, "One of my favorite artists is Salvador Dali. You'll see a little bit of that surrealism in it. There's a bit of 'Being John Malkovich' in there too. It's a little out there," she says with a laugh.

"Out of My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" goes to iTunes and other leading digital retailers on Tuesday. Like a good percentage of the new album, it was produced by Timbaland, who tapped into Simpson's love of '80s music when crafting the material.

"There's definitely influences here and there from it, but it's definitely not a full-on '80s record," Simpson says. "There's a pop/rock element as well," she notes, pointing to songs like "Never Dream Alone" and the sassy "Rulebreaker." Elsewhere, "Murder" will feature a rap from Gym Class Heroes member Travis McCoy.

"I've never gone into a room and worked with somebody who puts a beat on and you start going," says Simpson, who also worked in the studio with Kenna and the Neptunes' Chad Hugo. "It felt like somewhere to go with the record where I'd never been."

Simpson plans to decide the album title over the holiday break, but is already looking toward her return to the live stage. "I want to do like a smaller club tour first," she says. "Probably around February, we'll be back."